It's halfway through the year already, and I'm feeling tired and a bit stressed.
I know the minute this happens my productivity takes a dip.

I'm sure this happens to you and your employees too!

So, to help you and your employees out of the mid-year slump, and light a fire to be more productive, why not implement these stress-management tips today…

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Eight tips to reduce stress

1. Get support from others.

Speak to your support network at home and at the office about what's affecting you, and how you're feeling. Often, just telling someone about the problem will help.

2. Clear your desk.

Re-organise your desk or de-clutter your office. It will give you a sense of achievement and control, and help you work more effectively. Put one or two personal items, such as a photo or an inspirational message on your desk. These will symbolise what's important to you when work gets tough.

3. Review your diet and exercise regime.

Eat a healthy, balanced diet and exercise regularly to help cope with stress.

4. Get creative.

Being creative helps reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.

Give employees the opportunity to redecorate their environment; or

Allow them the opportunities to be creative in their problem solving and work. Just make sure they know they're still accountable for the results.

Read on more four more tips on how to reduce stress...

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Just a few months ago, I felt like I was living life in a pressure cooker. In fact, I was so stressed out, I spent my days feeling overworked and over-scheduled and my nights feeling overwhelmed.

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***

Four more tips on how to reduce stress...

5. Relax more.

Use relaxation or breathing techniques at the office or during lunch breaks.

Offer in-house yoga classes; or

Use an unused room as a chill room where employees can relax and chat. Put a CD player in the room to play relaxing music

6. Use humour as a stress-reliever.

Take yourself and your situation less seriously. Look for chances to have more fun and laugh more.

Start all your meetings with a joke;

Start every Monday (or end Friday) with an informal get-together; or

Have a fun team building exercise every now and then – especially before or after a stressful period for the team.

7. Focus on what's positive and realistic.

Focus on a desired positive outcome; this will increase the chances of it happening.
Don't harp on the negative or what could go wrong, think of the goal you're trying to achieve and the rewards and feeling of accomplishment if you manage to achieve it.

8. Manage your time

Define and prioritise your objectives. What do I want to achieve at work and in my current job? Am I chasing the next level position or do I want to be the best in what I'm doing now?

Divide your workload into three categories and plan your day/week accordingly. Make time to address all three areas in a week.

Deal with important and urgent issues immediately:

Compile and use a 'to do' list. Check your progress on the list at the end of each day. This will give you a sense of completion and keep your focus on what's important for the next day.

Avoid taking work home and/or working late every day.

Ensure meetings you attend have clearly stated objectives and end with action plans or next steps.

Be realistic about the time it takes to complete tasks.

Be realistic when agreeing and setting deadlines for tasks and projects.

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